Bolton build up / Unite against Usmanov

Bolton sacked/parted company with their boss ahead of this weeks game at Ashburton Grove, bloody typical, I hate it when you come up against a team with a change in management, always a worry that Bolton will pull together their top performance of the season. Saying that there is no excuse not to beat a team second bottom of the league.

Our main concern will be at centre back, Gilberto is unlikely to be fit following a game tonight away at Ecuador. Senderos seems to have picked up a knock and Gallas skipped training for France. If Gallas doesn’t make it Song is likely to step in alongside Toure. Wenger certainly is ready to dish a beating out to the Trotters.

Tomorrow’s AGM will possibly be the most heated seen at Arsenal, feisty some would say, but at least most people will be pulling in the same direction. It is now thought Red and White Holdings will back any proposals. I don’t think their presence will be welcomed by minor shareholders of whom the vast majority will be fans of Arsenal.

Let’s all stand united against takeover over from people who want to make money out of club.

Breaking News: Arsenal board to enter new lockdown agreement

Official details of a new lockdown agreement have been made available via Arsenal.com

Wenger’s Bust/ RVP

Looks like they can now add another fine characteristic to his talents, a fine bust! Recently unveiled at the AGM on Thursday was a bronze bust of Wenger. How long before replica’s go on sale in the Armoury? I’m going to pre-order one now! It’ll look good in my hallway. On a more discoloured note, RVP is out. He picked up a knee injury playing for the dutch and could be out for 4-5 weeks. A big loss considering his recent form. But this does obviously give an opening to Eduardo. Go on son, show us what you’ve got. Bendtner should make the bench, which might stop him moaning for a while.

Arsenal AGM / Thoughts

As the other two posts today have touched upon, today was the Arsenal AGM. The main topic was obviously the takeover threats we have been under, and I am happy to say positive progress was made.

The crucial point is, as Ben mentioned earlier, the board signed a revised lock-down agreement. The previous lock-down was due to expire in April, so it’s nice to have a new one signed before the press even started to spread the usual bullshit about one of the board selling out. There are some differences between the old lock-down, and this new agreement. Essentially, the lock-down terms have been loosened slightly, but the length extended significantly. Up until April 2009, board members can only sell to “permitted persons” - like family. Until October 2012, fellow board members have first option on any shares a fellow board member is looking to sell. The final point is that there is a termination clause in the agreement, which would allow it to be stopped in October 2010. On the whole I think this is a positive step, and re-enforces the current board’s commitment.

Arseblog has an interesting in-depth report from someone at the AGM, with some interesting little pieces of information. Worth a read if you want to know everything that happened at the meeting, from start to finish! Arsene seemed quite touched by the bronze bust Arsenal commission of him, which number7 wrote about earlier. “This is too big an honour,” Arsene said. I think it’s a nice gesture, and one of which he is fully deserving. There is no doubting the amazing impact Wenger has had on Arsenal. He received a long standing ovation from the attendees at todays meeting.

Speaking of attendees, neither Usmanov or Kroenke deemed our AGM important enough to attend in person. Although I have read nothing concrete, I understand both had representatives present - although Dein was not representing Usmanov. Usmanov really is a cunt - you cannot call yourself an Arsenal fan and then skip the most importantly meeting of the year, especially if he is trying to convince people he has Arsenal’s best interests at heart. Wanker.

van Persie has got a nasty twisted knee in the internationals, as was mentioned earlier today here. The Arsenal medical team haven’t actually seen him yet, but Wenger today reckoned he would be out for a month, meaning he will miss crucial matches against Liverpool and United. This is such a huge blow for us. As you can see from this image from Getty Images, it doesn’t look good. Poor lad.

This does give Eduardo a big chance, hopefully he can take it and replicate some of his form for Croatia for us. We will need him to.

That’s all I have time for tonight - sorry it is so late! I will be writing a regular section every Thursday here, so stay tuned. Here’s hoping for a good win against managerless Bolton at the weekend to get the attention back on football, and pick up where we left off before the international break. Have a good one.

Arsenal 2- 0 Bolton

Sod’s law inevitably meant my internet decided to stop working over the weekend, delaying my first Block19.com post – an omen perhaps?!  Anyway, better late than never….

Before the game on Saturday (the last Saturday 3pm kick-off before Christmas!) I felt slightly less hatred towards Bolton than has been the case in recent years – I mean, they’re propping up the foot of the table, Fat Sam’s gone, Anelka was out injured and that horrible b*****d Faye has been sold.  But by half-time, I realised that was a massive misjudgement and they are still the biggest bunch of cheating, kicking cloggers around.  How have they managed to fit so many hated players into just one team? (Stand up Kevin Davies, El-Hadji Diouf, Kevin Nolan, Ivan Campo, Stelios etc.)

It seemed a fairly flat atmosphere in the south lower to match the game for much of the first half, with neither keeper having to make a save.  We had a few nearly-but-not-quite moments, which was a lot more than Bolton could muster.  Personally I came into the ground feeling slightly subdued after watching Liverpool take 3 points with a last minute penalty (and then celebrating it like they had actually won the league…..)  This was obviously stupid, as we were still top and therefore should just worry about winning our games.  Anyhow, the game got a much needed kick up the arse towards the end of the 1^st half when a series of savage tackles started flying in.  In keeping with the recent trend, our boys kicked back when Bolton started playing dirty, with Cesc in particular treading on thin ice when dishing out some punishment shortly after picking up a yellow card.

The second half started with Eboue blazing a shot wide when the ball fell to him in the box, before the usual stragglers had returned to their seats (including the six people to my left – nice one).  We still weren’t clicking as we have in recent weeks, with Ade and Eduardo in particular not linking up well.  Even so, we were by far the better team at all points yesterday, Bolton really were crap – I can’t remember Blondie making a single save?  Certainly no brown trouser moments.

In a drastic break from the traditional 70^th minute sub, Wenger made a double change after 62 minutes bringing on Theo and Super Tom for Eboue and Eduardo.  Immediately we began to look more dangerous, with Theo’s pace in particular being used to good effect.  A long range Cesc strike was straight at the keeper and Ade wasted chances after being put through twice, before the break through finally came in the 68^th minute from a free kick around 30 yards out.  I could see Kolo lining it up, and instantly knew exactly what would happen – a tap across, followed by an opposing player chasing it down before Kolo can fire a shot away, as has happened countless times before.  Actually, not this time – it was actually a tap across, someone else trapping the ball before Kolo sent a powerful drive accurately into the bottom corner through a crowd of players!  Cue a feeling of relief, firstly that we were on our way to three points, and secondly that Bolton finally got what they deserved. 

12 minutes later our super subs finished the job off when Hleb (who played more central after the subs) fired a tough pass through to Theo on the right, who did extremely well to control it, shield it, and then create the space to cross into the six yard box.  Rosicky had made a great darting run into space inside the six yard box, and met the cross with a Pires-esq finish.  A great goal, and please please please Tomas can you stay injury free for a decent length of time?!  A fit and confident Tomas will be a big boost for our chances in all competitions, as will Theo if he continues to show the sort of form he showed Saturday afternoon.  Late on an incredible Clichy run took him past about six Bolton players before he went down in the box – as I was at the other end of the pitch it was impossible to see whether it should have been a penalty, although crowd and player reaction suggested it was a decent shout.  Clichy actually had a really good game, taking Kevin Davies to the cleaners a couple of times.  Given a straight choice between Cashley and Gael at the moment I know who I’d choose.

So, three points despite not slotting into top gear – just as crucial to a successful league campaign as destroying teams 4-0 with free-flowing football.  Roll on Slavia Prague on Tuesday.

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue (Walcott 62), Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb (Diaby 89), Eduardo (Rosicky 62), Adebayor. Subs not used: Fabianski, Gilberto.

Goals: Toure 68, Rosicky 80.

The view from Paris

Some how I feel Stade de France will never be my lucky venue, after a quick drive from Calais I was in positive mood on Saturday for an Arsenal England double. True South Africa had hammered us a couple of weeks previously but the team seemed to have been rejuvenated by a strong spirit. It was not to be and that good old English saying ‘we tried’ comes to mind, I’m not quite sure why we accept defeat so well, but it appears we do. As for the mighty Gooners we got a great win.

The view from Paris was that this game was another showing of how Arsenal have grown, Bolton under no management, well they haven’t changed. They tried to get in Arsenals faces and Sagna took the brunt of two nasty tackles. As Ryan said the tackles flying around did give the game a kick up the arse! The introduction of Theo and Tomas in the 62nd minute sparked Arsenal into life, it wasn’t long before we had won the game. I know my brother was really excited about the Theo impact, perhaps he’s the man to give England some cheer, and it’ll be great to see him take on Prague.

The question has been posed to me today, where’s Diarra? Lassana has had more appearances for the National side this season than he’s seen in club football but looking at the pictures on Arsenal he’s training with the first team and should make the squad tomorrow night.

Thank God Robin has only damaged medial ligaments, I think I would have shed a tear if it was a cruciate! Van Persie will miss the games until at least Wigan and Sevilla at the end of November. It should mean he’s nice and fresh against the Chavs and the Scum in December. That’s looking on the positive side for you.

According to a Czech reporter Slavia are a better team than Sparta, even though Sparta won the double, I can’t see it myself. Slavia will struggle tomorrow, star man Smicer is also out for them. I wouldn’t be surprised if Wenger rested a couple of players tomorrow and that will give Slavia a chance, I think whatever team Arsenal put out, 3 or 4-nil is on the cards.

Arsenal 7 - 0 Slavia Prague

The game was summed up brilliantly as I pee’d before the journey home last night, the commentator on ITV4 rounded up the game by saying it was simply a ‘privilege’ to watch Arsenal tonight and it certainly was. Free-flowing fast paced football at it’s best. Arsenal flew out of the blocks and I can imagine the first few minutes being a blur for the Slavia players. That is until the fifth minute when the ball rippled in the back of the net from another long range dipping Cesc effort. The blur would have been replaced by realisation Arsenal were going to beat them tonight.

It took until the 24th minute to make it 2-nil. It was an own goal thanks to a shot from Hleb. The Belarusian is a different player this season and is repaying Wengers’ belief. You could still not imagine what would happen ahead, the usual 3-nil would have be good, taking it to four would have been superb. It was 3-nil at before half time, Walcott was strangely put in by Slavia’s kamikaze fullback, Walcott was composed enough to take it past the on rushing keep before cracking it into the ClockEnders goal.

Theo was a constant threat in his first start as a forward, I wouldn’t say it was the Theo Walcott show (as a five live summariser did) but he had a massive impact on the game and the defenders were scared to let him run at them. Hleb got a deserved goal just five minutes into the second half with a mazy run down the left, Hleb put Theo in, who tucked the ball away with great style for 5-nil. Arsenal were not letting their foot off the gas and Slavia were struggling to keep pace with them.

A lovely move made it six nil, Walcott, Hleb, and Adebayor combined, to put in the free scoring Cesc machine! Cesc obliged and scored that was just in the 58th minute and it was 6-nil.

Arsenal could have grabbed more and Theo could have had his hat-trick but sliced wide. Juve’s record of a 7-goal win was equalled with a minute to go when Eboue back-heeled it to Nicklas Bendtner who applied the finish in off the post from close range. Bendtner also showed promise with some good runs in his half hour cameo.

It was not just the score-line but the manner Arsenal took Slavia apart, it was a fantastic performance, Hleb and Theo taking the staring roles but everyone contributed. Bring on the Scousers.

Oh 2 be a GOONER!!

Arsenal:Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini (Gilberto 62), Hleb (Rosicky 62), Adebayor (Bendtner 62), Walcott. Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Diaby, Diarra, Eduardo.

Booked:Flamini, Clichy, Hleb.

Goals:Fabregas 5, Hubacek 24 og, Walcott 41, Hleb 51, Walcott 55, Fabregas 58, Bendtner 89.

Att:59,621.

Ref:Stefano Farina (Italy).

Better than Brazil?

If I thought I could go and watch better football than that anywhere else, I’d pay a lot of money to do it. Truely sensational stuff. That is how football should be played, oozing with pace and flair. Three needless bookings aside, a flawless game. Credit to Slavia who did look threatening at times and could have had a goal for themselves if it wasn’t for a good Almunia save. Their fans kept singing and were applauded by the Arsenal faithful for their efforts. Walcott had his finest game as a gooner with 2 great goals and was unlucky not to bag a hat-trick due to a fine stop by Vaniak. Hleb was looking on top form. Everytime he got the ball he would turn sharply and create space. Some of the passes Fabregas sprayed around were world class. His volleyed long ball to Theo was inch perfect. Bendtner got his 2nd goal in as many starts and looked good. Even Eboue was getting in on the act with his trickery.

I’m trying not to get too carried away as there are two very tough games coming up. That could decide which way our season is going to go. Liverpool aren’t at their free-flowing best, and clashes between Gerrard and Benitez are getting more frequent. I’m hoping the mighty gooners can really give them something to fight about on Sunday.

REDaction

REDaction have been asked to write Friday’s blog post by Ben. So more to follow tomorrow…………

Will we be talking about Fat people wearing stupid pink cowboy hats?

Will we be asking the Gooner Girls to come to the Rocket & do naked dances on stages? (not ones the wear pink hats please)

Will we be talking about the Young Guns 1st “real” test up at Anfield?

Will we be talking about fatty Jabba Usmanov?

Or will we just waffle about complete b*ll*x???

Tune in tomorrow to find out, or not,

Players Speaking / Kroenke / Liverpool Away

Since this time last week when I wrote, Arsenal have picked up maximum points from their 2 games, scored 9 goals, and kept 2 clean sheets. It’s very impressive building on our already very strong start to the season. However, despite this, it still feels like Liverpool away on Sunday is our first real, big test. It’s hard to ignore the fact, that putting aside our one Champions League away game, we have gone out of London only once this season, and dropped points on that occasion. If we win on Sunday, we will start to be taken very seriously by everyone who still doubts this team, and if we lose, it will be remarkable how quickly we will change, in the media’s eyes, from being stunning to being shit.

It will be a very interesting game. It looks like Torres and Alonso will be fit for Liverpool, and several people have spoken to me about being worried about being on the receiving end of the backlash following Liverpool’s awful midweek game. Liverpool’s recent poor form doesn’t change this from being a very hard game, and with that in mind, I think I wouldn’t be too disappointed with a point. Obviously I would love the win, but a point wouldn’t be an awful result. It appears we will have no new injuries to contend with, which is good news - it is only Senderos and van Persie still out at the moment. There’s not that much more to say at this early stage about that game, but I am already feeling a little nervous. Due to the cuntish nature of Sky, the game is a 4pm kick off, and I sadly can’t do that on a Sunday, so I will be in the pub somewhere around Highbury watching.

Following our dismantling of Slavia Prague, a few players have been talking, notably the main focus of the press, Theo Walcott. On Wednesday he said:

“It’s a weight off my shoulders in a way. The last couple of games have gone well for me and it’s great to get my first goal at the Emirates. I remember playing against Reading as a striker [last season] but since the operation it’s the first game I’ve had up front and I really enjoyed it. The fans have been brilliant to me since I joined the Club. Every game the cheers are massive. It was good to get those goals for them.”

Today, he spoke of not being compared to Thierry, and being his own player:

“It was brilliant to train with him every day and take bits out of his game. But I’m my own player. People are going to compare the second goal to Thierry but it was my own goal. I just want to be my own player and get a few more goals. People are always going to compare me to Thierry - the way I run and everything - but as I keep saying I will be my own player.”

He’s a very clever lad, and is definitely doing and saying all the right things at the moment. I think comparing him to Henry is ridiculous at this stage - Theo has a huge amount of development and improvement still to come, and without wanting to sound too negative, he is nowhere near the levels Henry was at for most of his career yet. Yet is the key word - Theo has a lot of work to do, and it will be very interesting to watch his progress.

Fabregas had some kind words for Theo too:

“Amazing. The last few games he has made a difference coming on as a sub. He showed everyone what a player he is.”

Finally, van Persie spoke a little about the way the team is playing at the moment:

“I know that we can beat everyone. The present team is by far the best I’ve ever played in. Everything is about pure football. Most analysis bases quality on status but we have a good young team without status or years of experience. We’re technically tremendously good.”

Kroenke had a rare interview in which he was asked some questions about Arsenal. He failed to rule out any takeover, but on the positive side said that he sees Arsenal as a long term investment, and that he supports the board’s current lock-down agreement. I recommend watching the interview yourself here, it is quite interesting. In my view, he is clearly the lesser of two evils when compared to Usmanov. It’s good news he appears to be getting on well with the board, and working with them.

That’s your lot for today, thanks for reading. Heres to a good result in Liverpool on Sunday. Come on the Arsenal.